Reptile & Amphibian Forums

hi

i was wondering how you would clean astro turf or critter carpet after your gecko uses the "bathroom". originally, i was going to use sand as a substrate, until i discovered that it may smell up the cage because the urine would sink to the bottom of the tank where poop flakes and cricket limbs might sink. i understand it'd be better to use newspapers or paper towels, but i want a terrarium that looks somewhat natural and realistic. i hope you can help! thank you very much

aimee
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1.0 Black Lab / Pitbull mix (Mikey)
1.0 Blue Fighting Fish (Blue Balls)

I've never used that stuff with leopard geckos, but how about the dishwasher? Of course, take any dishes out, but it MAY be okay to put up on the top shelf. It MAY melt, too, so be careful and if you're living with your parents, ask them what they think before doing it. If not, perhaps a scrub brush and some bleach and water in the bathtub? Or, get some Nolvasan and the scrubbrush and water in the bathtub. Sounds like a lot of work to me, but good luck with it. Let us know what works out so others using the same stuff can learn.
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Rob Jenkins
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yeah it does sound like a lot of work..hehe~ but if it'll help my baby gecko by reducing the chance of impaction, then i'll do it until he's old enough to be on the sand. i don't have the gecko yet, i'm just compiling information so that i can take the best care of my gecko without having to do those emergency posts asking why he doesn't do things or what to do if such-&-such happens but when i get him, i'll be sure to let everyone know i was asking because i plan to use a cage carpet if i get a baby gecko and then switch to sand after about 8 - 12 months...and if the sand starts to smell i'll just go back 2 the carpet - hehe so i hope it all works out

what do you use for your gecko?
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1.0 Black Lab / Pitbull mix (Mikey)
1.0 Blue Fighting Fish (Blue Balls)

The majority of my geckos are on paper towels, but I have one on sand. There aren't any smell problems with sand in my experience.
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Rob Jenkins
Have you seen the GeckoCam?
Buy Geckos Here
Email Me

I use reptile carpet with my leo. I usually just scoop out the poop after each time she goes. I hand wash the carpet once a week. I just wash it thoroughly in my kitchen sink with regular dish soap, making sure to rinse it well after and then let it air dry. Never had any problems and the carpet seems to clean up nicely.

so you scoop the poops and just let the urine settle in & wash on the weekend right? thanks for the advice! i was asking because i plan to use a cage carpet if i get a baby gecko and then switch to sand after about 8 - 12 months...and if the sand starts to smell i'll just go back 2 the carpet hehe~ thanks for your assistance

-aimee
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1.0 Black Lab / Pitbull mix (Mikey)
1.0 Blue Fighting Fish (Blue Balls)

I'm trying to find some brown paper towels to use in my leos tank. White paper towels have actually been bleached in the process of making them white. Thought this may be of some help.

do you mean the brown paper towels they have in public restrooms? hehe~ that's actually not a bad idea and the cage would still look good.

does anyone know if the brown paper towels are safe for the gex? thanks all!!!
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1.0 Black Lab / Pitbull mix (Mikey)
1.0 Blue Fighting Fish (Blue Balls)

That's the ones. But I'm trying to find some like regular papertowels first. The ones in restrooms don't absorb moisture very well, but there really isn't much moisture to worry about now is there? If I find some I'll let you know where to get some.

I have all my leopard geckos 4.8.0 on T-Rex Calci sand, no problems with impaction going on 3 years now. You just get a sand sifter and go through the whole cage, takes less than 2 min for my 55 gal. and that will get out all the feces and urates. Leos are cool in that they pick a corner of the cage for there latrine, mine usually prefer the hot side. Their urine also comes out in the form of a white solid which is awesome. You may want to try tiles though, marble tiles you can get a Lowes, or Home Depot. They coduct the heat from a UTH well and are pleasing to the eye as you can pick and choose color and texture. If you do a search such as "tank setup" or "pics of setups" in the forum search you will find several examples. Hope this helps

Tim
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LEOs: 3.7.0
1.1 High Yellows (Barney and Betty);1.1 Hypo Tangerines(Bam-bam and Pebbles); 1.1 Rescued Normals (Shleprock) 0.4Tremper Albinos (No names yet), Lookin for a good male breeder
BEARDIES 1.0.0
Snow and Yellow (Fred)